i went outside this morning to tend to our animals
and my wellington boots were still wet from handling
the snow calamities yesterday, or perhaps the day
before. the island usually isn't enjoying snowfall
of this degree, so our inventory of shovels and the
like is limited but should be upgraded whenever one
of us can leave for town.

J was offered an earlier time for gyn surgery but
declined out of being nervous. had she accepted it
we probably wouldn't be able to go there anyway.
today i have to drive a car with a broken auxillary
belt system to the local mechanic on icy roads. 

more than anything i'd love to be able to do more
than maintain, but maintenance has been the name of
the game this winter. and i need to find a new job,
as i am slowly being automated away from my current.

the trick is, i used to think sardonically, is to be
occupied with such an exhausting amount of practical
matters and obligations and tend to as many animals
as is allowed by your local regulations etc, so
that you will never have time to stop and brood over
the really important questions.